"More union agitation" was not something I ever expected to want from a romance novel, but here we are. This story of an astronomer-turned-mill master and a female union leader in Victorian Glasgow -- you see why I picked it up, don't you? -- was grounded and turbulent in all the best ways.

At least, at first.

The set-up is persuasive and the characters really sparkle. But the rich and realistic conflict between union and management devolved into a shipboard rescue and fight scene that apparently solved all everyone's issues -- secondary characters included. I felt like the ending was more softened than I wanted it to be. The author came out swinging, but she pulled her punches.